Newly emerged court documents suggest much of the Tate brothers’ high-flying life is pure bluster and fantasy, manufactured to boost their clicks on social media.
Andrew, 39, and Tristan, 38, have spent the last month locked up at the Federal Detention Center (FDC) Miami as they wait to find out if they will be extradited to the UK.
The pair face a total of 59 charges between them, with Andrew facing prosecution for alleged crimes including rape, sex trafficking, and offences relating to indecent images of a child.
They deny all the charges they face worldwide.
For now, the Tates’ lawyers are arguing for them to be released on bond – a process that requires proving they would not flee.
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The government says the vast wealth visible on their social media suggests this would be a real risk.
But according to court filings obtained by the Daily Mail, the brothers concede that much of the world they have built up online simply does not exist.
Their lawyers are quoted saying: ‘The more hyperbolic and outlandish the post, the more likely it will generate views and likes, which in turn generates income. In short, they are playing a role.’
A fleet of Bugatti and Aston Martin supercars worth $14 million were rented for one of Tristan’s videos, the filings reportedly say, with the intention of creating the impression he is ‘uber-wealthy’.
Meanwhile, a $50 million superyacht – which the government suggested could be a means of escape – belonged to somebody else and the brothers were paid to promote it, the lawyers said.
Despite the brothers languishing in a Miami prison, Andrew’s X account still continues to post platitudes about masculinity.
Recent examples include him insisting his ‘life is a James Bond movie’ and a seemingly fictional interaction with a prison guard.
The Crown Prosecution Service announced its intention to seek extradition of Tristan and Andrew Tate last month.
They had been arrested by the US Marshal Service in Florida on July 18.
Malcolm McHaffie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: ‘We have decided to prosecute Andrew and Tristan Tate for further offences including rape, arranging or facilitating trafficking for sexual exploitation and offences relating to indecent images of a child.
‘These charging decisions followed receipt of a further file of evidence from Bedfordshire Police and bring the total number of alleged victims in this case to seven.’
Following their arrest, the Tates’ lawyer Joseph McBride claimed ‘the world knows Andrew and Tristan are innocent’.
He added: ‘Their enemies know it best of all. That is exactly why they have been attacked.’
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